Easton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Boulder/Denver, CO

**artard** · Posted On: 7/08/2008 5:40pm

I've been a student at Easton BJJ for a bit over a year now and my experience has been great. The gym is open 7 days a week with BJJ classes offered (at three levels, which I will elaborate on later) 6 days a week and Thai Boxing (taught by Duane "Bang" Ludwig and Tyler Toner) is offered 3 days. There are also some misc classes like conditioning, randori and kids stuff. The school's student base is large and diverse with many active purple, brown, and multiple black belts promoted by Amal.

Classes are divided into three levels: fundamentals, intermediate and "black belt" and further subdivided into gi and no gi (fundamentals is gi only). White belts are not allowed to free spar/open roll until they receive their 3rd stripe but there are generally several rounds of positional drilling in every beginner class. Once a white belt receives their 3rd stripe they can start going to intermediate classes as well as randori sessions.

I don't remember the last time an evening class I took wasn't taught by a black belt, aside from when warmups are done by a blue/purple belt, so the level of instruction is top notch. The classes are taught on rotating schedules (I believe 3 months for fundamentals) with A and B days each week so that all the possible material is covered if you show up regularly. The attention to detail during instruction is very high and the coaches are always looking to make corrections and suggestions. Positive attitudes are reinforced in all students and instructors frequently repeat the mantra "take care of your partner" and injuries are minimal.

The price is a bit steep compared to other martial arts instruction in the area, but in my opinion completely worth it for the level of instruction being provided. The school sports a successful competition team at many regional and national tournaments and also has multiple MMA fighters and kickboxers (both amateur and professional). Free introductory classes are always being offered so take one of you want to see more for yourself (and you might be able to talk them into a free week if you're smooth about it).

**GoldenJonas** · Posted On: 7/09/2008 11:47am

Damn, nice school. Thanks.

**artard** · Posted On: 8/26/2008 3:25pm

FYI - the Klines (Nick Kline - BB under Amal, and brother Chris who was just promoted to brown belt) have opened a 3rd branch of Easton BJJ in Aravda (4th if you count the McMahon's school in Ft Collins). The school address is:

9470 Ralston Road
Arvada, CO 80001

they also have a web site at http://eastonbjjarvada.com so check them out if you're in the area!

**HailtotheKing** · Posted On: 9/10/2008 9:55pm

Hey, George Andersch, a Brown Belt under Amal just opened a school in Fargo, ND in Aug. 08. (www.fargobjj.com) I've been going there since the beginning. Come check us out. I'll write a review soon, I promise.

**artard** · Posted On: 9/17/2008 6:48pm

That's awesome! Andersch is a sick BJJ competitor and dominated the local purple belt divisions for a couple years before getting his brown belt recently.